Aggressive 10 week old EE

[FlockAround-andFindOut]

This bird has thicc legs, bigger comb, and is kinda acting like a jerk. Wing grabbing, chasing, stalking, really over the top behavior. I suspect roo or screw loose. Any opinions? Last picture "Winnie" is in the middle of EE pullet and bantam boy. 10 week old EE from TSC pullet bin. Not straight run.
Let me know if you think it's a he or she.
Also what would you do with an aggressive bird in a mixed flock?

 

[sourland]

It's a hormonal cockerel. A flock of mature hens would give him a quick education.

 

[FlockAround-andFindOut]

It's a hormonal cockerel. A flock of mature hens would give him a quick education.

Based on looks or behavior or both?

 

[User690263]

Both
I agree with @sourland , putting him in with a group of adult hens will help put him in his place, as the hens wouldn't put up with any nonsense.

 

[FlockAround-andFindOut]

Both
I agree with @sourland , putting him in with a group of adult hens will help put him in his place, as the hens wouldn't put up with any nonsense.

My hens don't even acknowledge this bird during free range. They do all have separate coops ATM. But are you guys suggesting like putting it in a dog crate in the big girl coop? Or full on integrating? I don't think I'd trust this little bird. It's really nasty IMO. My older hens never did any of these behaviors. And my OEGB boys are absolute sweethearts.

 

[User690263]

I'd say fully integrating him. There will likely be some minor injuries, but he will quickly learn that his behavior isn't acceptable.

 

[User690263]

Another thing that might work is spraying him with a hose any time he tries to attack any of the other birds. It wouldn't hurt him, but it would be unpleasant for him, and he would start to associate bullying other birds with that negative experience. It's called negative punishment, it's a branch of operant conditioning. It's when you add a stimulus to discourage a behavior.

 

[Nym]

Be on watch for any signs that he might start having a go at you. Use the eyes in the back of your head, so to speak.

 

[FlockAround-andFindOut]

Be on watch for any signs that he might start having a go at you. Use the eyes in the back of your head, so to speak.

He goes at any human and he goes into the instant pot

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Another thing that might work is spraying him with a hose any time he tries to attack any of the other birds. It wouldn't hurt him, but it would be unpleasant for him, and he would start to associate bullying other birds with that negative experience. It's called negative punishment, it's a branch of operant conditioning. It's when you add a stimulus to discourage a behavior.

You're talking about negative reinforcement but this is not really how it works. For one thing trying to spray a single bird in a flock is bound to fail as you're going to end up spraying several birds indiscriminately although they did nothing wrong. And unless you catch the bully bird in the act, you're wasting your time. You'd have to stand out there with the hose in your hand ready to act at a split-second's notice. It's just not practical.